Michigan may be best known for Detroit auto production, and Motown Records. In November, however, the state's role in the presidential election may top that “best known for” list.

Michigan is considered by many political analysts to be one of the Midwest's biggest swing states in this election. With 17 votes in the Electoral College, the state is a battleground for Democratic Sen. Barack Obama and rival Republican Sen. John McCain.

The state has gone to the Democrats in recent elections. Democratic Sen. John Kerry won the state in 2004. Before Kerry, the state went to Democrats Al Gore and Bill Clinton. The last Republican to win Michigan was George H.W. Bush in 1988.

The Detroit News reported in August that Michigan is, once again, leaning Democrat. According to the most recent polls, Obama had a 2 percentage-point lead over McCain. Yet the lead may be deceptive, as the polls have a margin for error of up to 4 percentage points. McCain led Obama as recently as May.

Most of the voters are especially concerned about one issue: jobs. The state's biggest political issue has traditionally been the economy and its effects on middle-class, unionized, blue collar workers -- 2008 will be no exception.

Many voters concerned about Michigan’s extraordinarily high unemployment rate, which recently comes in at over 8 percent. Subsequently, Michigan is one of the top 10 states for number of home foreclosures. Voters are hoping to counteract the decline into poverty. And with Detroit's auto industry struggling, Michigan needs a candidate who can lower gas prices, among other costs of living.

Michigan played an unusual role in the Democratic nominating process because the state moved its primary ahead of the traditional Democratic schedule. The state was initially stripped of its delegates to the Democratic National Convention. But, their voting rights were later restored.